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By the time the national anthem rang out across Covenant Health Park, fans already were packed inside the new Knoxville stadium, eager to see Smokies baseball return home after 25 years in Kodak.
Families, couples and friends traveled from near and far to be at the inaugural event. For some attendees, the night marked their first Smokies game ever, while others were longtime fans who still remember the last time the Smokies played in Knoxville at Bill Meyer Stadium.
The new stadium's location between the Old City and East Knoxville is one that project leaders have long hoped would unite Knoxville residents.
"It’s a place to connect our city together,” Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd said April 8 when seven statues honoring the legacy of Black baseball in the city were unveiled just outside the ballpark on public plazas.
Hubert Wrushen has lived in Knoxville for over four decades and remembers listening to games on the radio during the Smokies' original stint in Knoxville.
Wrushen, who taught fifth grade at Green Elementary School (now Green Magnet Academy), was there in person April 15 to watch the team return to his city.
"I just got through seeing some of my babies from years ago that are here at the game, and I just love it," he told Knox News. "I just love it."
The stadium is located in an area that used to be known as the Bottom, once a thriving Black neighborhood that "had businesses, all sorts of entrepreneurs ... homeowners and just, Knoxvillians," Wrushen said.
That community was displaced during urban removal, which occurred in Knoxville between 1959 and 1974, and isolated further from downtown Knoxville when the James White Parkway was built in 1978.
Wrushen said he loves the stadium incorporated some of that history, and he hopes it continues to be celebrated at Covenant Health Park.
"They've done a good thing with this. The biggest thing I want to see is more entrepreneurship in all of them businesses that's going around there. I want to see the people that lived here," Wrushen said. "There is so much history in this area, and I want this area to reap the benefits."
Wrushen already plans to be back soon, he told Knox News.
"You can tell Randy (Boyd), I give him an A on this one," Wrushen said with a laugh.
Forget kids in a candy store. Siblings Norah and Grayson Baker, ages 10 and 8, made a case for a new expression: kids in a baseball stadium.
By the time Knox News spoke with them, the siblings had already dined on chicken tenders and French fries and enjoyed the first few innings of the game, along with some fireworks, which they agreed were their favorite part.
Norah and Grayson had been to Smokies games before in Kodak, but this was a special experience. Grayson admired watching the players set foot on the new field, he said, while Norah said she was excited to take an early look at the new buildings.
Norah noticed the stadium is "a lot bigger and better and more modern."
"I also like the bigger scoreboard, and I like the shape of it: Tennessee," Grayson said.
Jackson resident Sherrod Morgan and his fiancée, Milliekin Spearman, traveled to Knoxville to celebrate Morgan's 46th birthday, featuring a visit to Covenant Health Park.
The couple, avid baseball fans, agreed: The new stadium is impressive, and they weren't the only ones celebrating a birthday with that same thought in mind.
Briana Wheeler and her dad, Shannon Wheeler, were celebrating birthdays too.
"Thanks Knoxville for the party!" Briana said.
Shannon lives in Murfreesboro, while Briana lives in Knoxville. He came over to kick off their birthday season and catch the big game.
"We've always liked going to minor league baseball games together," Shannon said. "And when she was a kid, we went to minor league baseball in Nashville, and now she's come to Knoxville and made Knoxville her home, and Knoxville's got a team again. So, what better way to celebrate her homecoming in Knoxville than catch a minor league baseball game?"
They agreed their "party" was an absolute blast, from the concessions to the merch to the field to the staff to the game, itself.
"You just kind of feel welcome," Shannon said. "It's been very thoughtful," Briana added.
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email [email protected].
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: First impressions of Knoxville Smokies stadium Covenant Health Park
Continue reading...
Families, couples and friends traveled from near and far to be at the inaugural event. For some attendees, the night marked their first Smokies game ever, while others were longtime fans who still remember the last time the Smokies played in Knoxville at Bill Meyer Stadium.
The new stadium's location between the Old City and East Knoxville is one that project leaders have long hoped would unite Knoxville residents.
"It’s a place to connect our city together,” Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd said April 8 when seven statues honoring the legacy of Black baseball in the city were unveiled just outside the ballpark on public plazas.
Smokies baseball, Knoxville kick off their grand reunion
Hubert Wrushen has lived in Knoxville for over four decades and remembers listening to games on the radio during the Smokies' original stint in Knoxville.
Wrushen, who taught fifth grade at Green Elementary School (now Green Magnet Academy), was there in person April 15 to watch the team return to his city.
"I just got through seeing some of my babies from years ago that are here at the game, and I just love it," he told Knox News. "I just love it."
The stadium is located in an area that used to be known as the Bottom, once a thriving Black neighborhood that "had businesses, all sorts of entrepreneurs ... homeowners and just, Knoxvillians," Wrushen said.
That community was displaced during urban removal, which occurred in Knoxville between 1959 and 1974, and isolated further from downtown Knoxville when the James White Parkway was built in 1978.
Wrushen said he loves the stadium incorporated some of that history, and he hopes it continues to be celebrated at Covenant Health Park.
"They've done a good thing with this. The biggest thing I want to see is more entrepreneurship in all of them businesses that's going around there. I want to see the people that lived here," Wrushen said. "There is so much history in this area, and I want this area to reap the benefits."
Wrushen already plans to be back soon, he told Knox News.
"You can tell Randy (Boyd), I give him an A on this one," Wrushen said with a laugh.
Knoxville stadium is 'bigger and better,' siblings agree
Forget kids in a candy store. Siblings Norah and Grayson Baker, ages 10 and 8, made a case for a new expression: kids in a baseball stadium.
By the time Knox News spoke with them, the siblings had already dined on chicken tenders and French fries and enjoyed the first few innings of the game, along with some fireworks, which they agreed were their favorite part.
You must be registered for see images
Norah and Grayson had been to Smokies games before in Kodak, but this was a special experience. Grayson admired watching the players set foot on the new field, he said, while Norah said she was excited to take an early look at the new buildings.
Norah noticed the stadium is "a lot bigger and better and more modern."
"I also like the bigger scoreboard, and I like the shape of it: Tennessee," Grayson said.
Celebrations all around at Covenant Health Park
Jackson resident Sherrod Morgan and his fiancée, Milliekin Spearman, traveled to Knoxville to celebrate Morgan's 46th birthday, featuring a visit to Covenant Health Park.
The couple, avid baseball fans, agreed: The new stadium is impressive, and they weren't the only ones celebrating a birthday with that same thought in mind.
You must be registered for see images
Briana Wheeler and her dad, Shannon Wheeler, were celebrating birthdays too.
"Thanks Knoxville for the party!" Briana said.
Shannon lives in Murfreesboro, while Briana lives in Knoxville. He came over to kick off their birthday season and catch the big game.
"We've always liked going to minor league baseball games together," Shannon said. "And when she was a kid, we went to minor league baseball in Nashville, and now she's come to Knoxville and made Knoxville her home, and Knoxville's got a team again. So, what better way to celebrate her homecoming in Knoxville than catch a minor league baseball game?"
You must be registered for see images
They agreed their "party" was an absolute blast, from the concessions to the merch to the field to the staff to the game, itself.
"You just kind of feel welcome," Shannon said. "It's been very thoughtful," Briana added.
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email [email protected].
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: First impressions of Knoxville Smokies stadium Covenant Health Park
Continue reading...
